After Hours
723 Words
Mira was determined to keep things professional.
She repeated the words in her head like a mantra as she typed up her editorial analysis, ignoring the way her hands trembled slightly every time she thought about him.
Zane Calloway.
The man who had once ruined her.
And now, her boss.
She had survived their tense first meeting, walked out of his office with her head held high, and convinced herself she was immune to whatever pull still existed between them.
But the way her skin still tingled where his gaze had lingered said otherwise.
She exhaled, pushing the thoughts away. Focus. This was her dream job, and she wouldn’t let anything—not even a ghost from her past—jeopardize it.
Most of the office had emptied out hours ago, but she was still here, reviewing strategy notes for the upcoming Calloway Media merger.
Alone.
Or so she thought.
A deep voice shattered the silence.
“You’re still here.”
Mira’s breath hitched before she could stop it.
She looked up, and there he was—Zane, leaning casually against the doorway of her office, his sleeves rolled up, his tie loosened just enough to be dangerous.
Her pulse betrayed her.
She forced herself to meet his gaze. “So are you.”
He smirked, stepping inside. “I own the company. What’s your excuse?”
She bristled at his arrogance, but before she could retort, he strolled closer—too close. Close enough that she caught the faintest scent of his cologne, dark spice and something infuriatingly familiar.
Damn him.
She straightened her posture, keeping her voice cool. “I wanted to be prepared for the merger meeting tomorrow.”
His gaze flickered to her screen, then back to her. “Dedicated.”
“Unlike some people, I don’t rely on charm alone to succeed,” she shot back.
His lips twitched. “Ah. There it is.”
She narrowed her eyes. “There what is?”
“The fire.” He leaned in slightly, just enough to make her breath hitch. “I was starting to think you’d lost it.”
Her heart pounded.
This was dangerous territory—this slow, simmering push-and-pull, the way his presence still felt like an unspoken challenge.
She refused to take the bait.
“I don’t have time for this,” she muttered, turning back to her screen.
But then—he reached out.
Not touching her, not quite, but close enough that the warmth of his hand ghosted against hers as he trailed a single fingertip along the edge of her desk.
Mira froze.
His voice dropped lower. “You’re still so easy to rile up.”
She snapped.
She shot up from her chair, ignoring the rush of heat that flooded her body. “Is there a reason you’re in my office, or do you just enjoy being insufferable?”
Zane smirked, but something darker flickered in his gaze.
“Actually, I do have a reason.”
He reached into his pocket, pulling out a folder, and set it on her desk.
“Our division leads are expecting a joint presentation from us on the merger. You’ll be working with me directly to finalize it.”
Her stomach dropped.
Directly. With him.
As if sensing her hesitation, Zane’s smirk deepened. “That’s not a problem, is it?”
Mira gritted her teeth. Of course it was a problem.
Being near him for an extended period of time, trying to pretend like she didn’t remember every touch, every whispered promise, every way he had wrecked her—
But she refused to let him see her falter.
She forced a tight smile. “Not at all.”
His gaze dipped briefly—just a flicker, just enough for her to feel like he was undressing her in his mind.
“Good,” he murmured.
The word slithered down her spine like silk.
For a moment, neither of them moved. The office was too quiet, too charged, filled with an undeniable, inescapable tension.
Then—he stepped back, as if he hadn’t just set her entire body on fire.
“I’ll expect you in my office first thing tomorrow,” he said smoothly.
And just
like that, he was gone.
Mira exhaled shakily, pressing her palms to the desk.
This was going to be hell.
- Writer
